CINCINNATI - With the issue of crime hotter than a burning meth lab, and potentially a deciding issue in the upcoming mayoral race, the Cincinnati Dealer hosted a mayoral debate earlier this week, moderated by Staff Writer Dave Akadjian. Here is the transcript of that debate.

Dealer: What will you do about crime if elected mayor?

David Pepper: I’m fighting for a safer Cincinnati.

Alicia Reece: Who doesn’t want a safer Cincinnati?

Mark Mallory: I’m for the safest Cincinnati.

Charlie Winburn: I intend to make Cincinnati the safe-safiest.

Justin Jeffre: When crime is relative to socio-economic …

Dealer: Next question. Which type of crime affects Cincinnatians the most?

Reece: Homicide.

Winburn: Homicide’s my issue.

Pepper: Armed robbery. Check out my 33-page report.

Winburn: I said I called “homicide.”

Mallory: How can you pick just one?

Jeffre: I would like to think ...

Dealer: Did you know that serious crime is actually down 4.3 percent since 2001?

Pepper: It’s all in my 33-page report.

Mallory: 4.3 percent is almost exactly how much the population of Cincinnati has dropped since 2001.

Reece: But violent crimes have increased.

Winburn: Homicide, homicide, homicide. You need to mind your place, woman. Listen to Winnie.

Jeffre: Those statistics are …

Winburn: Shut up, Jeffre.

Jeffre: But I …

Dealer: Shut up, Jeffre. What specifically would each of you do to fight crime in our neighborhoods?

Mallory: Two words. Guardian angels.

Reece: The mayor needs to walk the streets with the people.

Winburn: Wives must be taught boundaries.

Pepper: An employee discount on crack. You pay what they pay. Crack prices drop, so does crime. 33 pages. Count 'em.

Jeffre: I’d take a bullet for you. “Well, not you personally,” Jeffre was quick to add.

And so ended the Dealer mayoral debate.